Golfers Being Mentally Sharp in Your 70s

"Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind." Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Meditation

I have a courier job, just one day a week. I follow a manifest of items to be delivered to various stores around the city. Manifest items usually result in two bundles: a bundle of hung items and another of small packages to be put in a bin. Two trips are normally required to carry the bundles to the delivery van. Today, I took the hung items to the delivery van, then promptly drove off. At my first delivery point, I looked for the bin. Shock, I left it back at the depot. It got sorted with little time lost. It was a mental lapse, a lapse that for me, is more common these days.

Golfers Stay Sharp in your 70s

Golf is about getting your body in tune with a swing rhythm, which gets your ball into a small hole in the least number of strokes. That’s the physical side of the golf swing. For golfers, like me, in their 70s, staying mentally sharp and alert is a critical part of our golf game. It’s about maintaining focus and about having a strategy to reflect your stage in life. When I enjoy my golf, I’m aware of my strengths and weaknesses and play to them. This is a mind adjustment to help with continuous improvement, both physical and mental. As with regular drills for improvement in your swing, likewise the habits that support brain health also enhance your performance on the course.

Keep Learning - On and Off the Course

Make every round an opportunity to strengthen your body and mind. For many of us the golf swing is a lifelong study. We analyse body movement, experiment with grip adjustments, or think about course management – all of which keeps our brain thinking, learning, and active. Off the course, I read anything about golf paying attention to tips and knowledge that may suit my game. I watch golf tournaments on tv to see a movement I experimented with or saw on someone’s YouTube video. The abundance of golf tutorials on all media platforms can confuse, but if you are selective in concentrating on one area of your golf at a time, the less overwhelming and confusing your study will be. Watching professional breakdowns will introduce you to new techniques. Learning fuels openness and flexibility, helping your brain adapt and grow.

Train Your Brain Like You Train Your Swing

Mental drills are as vital as physical ones. Visualization exercises, memory games, and strategic puzzles like chess or bridge sharpen concentration and decision-making. I’m a fan of a tablet game called Tiles; I play it every day. It teaches me as much as chess would while increasing difficulty at each level of the game. My diary, both the book and digital versions are full of golf notes reviewing my game and swing. Reviewing past rounds and planning future ones, gets me to think critically and see patterns in my golf rounds.

Stay Physically Active

Walking the course, swinging, and staying mobile all support brain health by improving circulation and reducing stress. Complement your golf routine with stretching, light strength training, or tai chi to enhance balance, coordination, and mental clarity. Its amazing what you can accomplish at home with 20 minutes of walking, stretching and exercise programs, alone or with others. All videos are available on YouTube. Find two or three programs that resonate with you. Your alert body and mind will thank you for the daily stimulation they receive from 20 to 30 minutes of being physically active.

Fuel Your Game with Brain-Boosting Nutrition

A sharp mind starts with smart eating. Omega-3s from fish, antioxidants from berries, and hydration from water all contribute to better focus and reaction time. Avoid heavy meals before a round—opt for light, nutrient-rich snacks to stay mentally alert. I have to admit to needing improvement in nutrition.

Practice Mindfulness Between Shots

Golf teaches patience and presence. Use breathing techniques or short meditations to reset between holes. Mindfulness reduces anxiety, improves focus, and helps you stay composed under pressure on the course and in daily life. Mindfulness as a philosophy toward life is new to me, but being of an open mind, I’m willingly to delve further into how it can improve my golf.

Stay Social, Stay Sharp

Golf is a social sport. Regular rounds with friends foster camaraderie and cognitive engagement. Conversations, shared laughs, and friendly competition stimulate emotional and intellectual health, reducing the risk of isolation-related decline.

I and others who play a public course are familiar with just turning up, paying the fee, then waiting in the queue to tee off. If alone, you can ask to join any group who don’t already have the full complement of four. It’s a terrific way of getting to know strangers, if only for the time of the round. At 70, many will only play 9 holes. It’s less stressful physically and mentally, and more family friendly.

Whatever your age, how golfers deal with the mental side of the sport, applies to all facets of life. In your 70s, golf becomes more than a sport, it’s a wonderful tool for mental health. By combining thoughtful play with healthy habits, you can keep your mind as sharp as your short game. Enjoy every round with clarity, confidence, and joy.

"Minds are like parachutes they only function when open." Thomas Dewar.

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